Hi, I’m Christina!
…a wife and a mom with a passion for excellence in simply amazing food. I love feeding the people that surround me with nourishing, flavorful creations with a refined culinary twist. My inspiration are my children; Olivia (11), Judah (9) and my amazing partner in crime, my husband Daniel…and of course, food!
As a chef, I was classically trained how to manipulate food into a grandiose version of palate pleasing, visual works of art. I worked countless hours in some of the finest kitchens across the country perfecting other chefs’ vision of food. I could cook, without a doubt but I needed to step back and find what REALLY put the wind in my sails…cooking, baking and creating simply amazing food. Finding inspiration in my surroundings, in the garden, in my home; everything I hold dear. That became my focus.
As a result, I started ChefHotDish in 2007 which was devoted to one of my favorite baking delights…the scone! As I created flavor combinations and really “played” with food, I became a flavor guggernaut! And I was having fun! My inspirations became effortless. I began sharing my highly-flavored scones with friends, family, and anyone that wanted to trust me enough to try. It was a success, so I began writing a cookbook dedicated to scones…THE NEW ETIQUETTE of SCONES. It was so much fun and it was something I could engage my children and husband in since they were my first fans!
My Mission
I spent a portion of my culinary career teaching aspiring chefs of all ages. I loved teaching and I flourished at being a well of culinary knowledge to these fledglings that were ready to conquer the epicurean scene. When the teaching program shut down, I was forced back into the fast paced, time consuming, all-demanding world of the professional kitchen.
The more and more time I spent away from my children and husband the more I pushed to GO out and find my niche…BE the wife, mom and culinary professional that fit me…and DO what it was that made my heart flutter. So, I started this blog as an inspiration for aspiring chefs, dedicated moms and students of all ages that want to learn to be better at what they love to do….cook simply and amazingly well.
My Vision
Go…Be…Do…became my mantra. I recited it every morning, preached it all day long to myself, and fell out at the end of the day on my couch, trying to believe those words until it FINALLY clicked. I can teach, I can live and I can create amazing foods! I can show how powerful a simply done, inspiring meal can be. I can teach how effortless food can be when it is picked at its prime; when it is not over-manipulated; when it speaks to you and you answer back. I wanted to inspire people to be effortless epicureans!
And so, the journey begins with you and me and all that we love and cherish. I’m so glad you are here! I hope we can travel together through this love of food, family and friends and create effortless memories, inspired dishes and speak to those we love with the food we create!
I wish you amazingly happy cooking!
Christina